Food Stall at O.W. Bus Terminal Goes Up in Flames

A fire broke out near the Orange Walk Temporary Bus Terminal on Monday night. A popular tamales food stall went up in flames.  The flames were intense and neighbors quickly alerted the Fire Department.  Firefighters rushed to the scene and immediately took control of the inferno.  After the flames were doused, fire investigators got to work and, according to Station Supervisor at the National Fire Service Kenneth Mortis, the fire may have been caused by a leak in the gas tank.

Kenneth Mortis, Station Supervisor, National Fire Service

“This one was one of the stalls situated in the Bus Terminal compound. At the current moment information is still sketchy however we can tell you that the proprietor of the establishment is known to us only as Eddy. We have been trying to reach out to him. He hasn’t come forward as yet. We can say that the fire started from the stove area. We noted that the stove was left in an on position and we also noticed that the butane had leaks. No to conclusively say that it was an unattended stove we might be speculating because we don’t if he had anything left on cooking. We are looking at the possibility that the stove was a pilot lit stove and with the valve on and the leaking butane over a period a time it could have triggered and caused the fire. We can only conclusively say whether something was left on cooking or not only after we make contact with this proprietor Mister Eddy.”

Kenneth Mortis

Duane Moody

“It was only his structure that was destroyed?”

Kenneth Mortis

“Fortunately only his structure was destroyed. Quick response from the neighbours who alerted the fire department as such and again quick response from the Fire Department as well in containing this blaze to one structure.”

Duane Moody

“This was a case of negligence on the part of the owner?”

Kenneth Mortis

“It could very well might be, looking at the evidence and the remains that we found. Like I mentioned just a while ago his stove was n the on position. We know that his butane tank was leaking. It is an eye opener in terms if I know my butane tank is leaking why wouldn’t I want to get that matter address.”